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Chapter 27

Night loomed over the vast cityscape of Coruscant, cloaking the endless horizon of gleaming spires in deep velvet layers. Lights blazed from windows, bright pinpricks against the darkness. As far as the eye could see, as far as a being could travel, the city's buildings jutted from the planet's surface in needles of steel alloy and reflective glass.

In the shadows of the underworld, the figure in the shadows on a building steadily approached behind the figure, which snaked into the shadows and bowed, keeping his head forward, his lined face a modicum of equanimity. The regal makings of the Sith.

"Lord Maul..." The figure said in a cool greeting.

"Master," the Zabrak greeted back cordially.

"How has your training proceeded?" Master Sidious asked.

Maul reported dutifully. His training had only increased in the past month. For whatever reason, his Master had been taking this threat a lot more seriously than all the others. His Master observed his exercises before, however, his public identity was required in the Chancellorship he'd gained.

"Excellent..." Sidious lingered, and Maul wondered what was next. He would not dare leave his Master's side until dismissed. "You are prepare to know we have a new enemy. The boy who surfaced from Tatooine, Anakin Skywalker. I have no doubt that this boy is a significant threat to the Grand Plan."

"What shall I do, my Master? Seek them out?" He had longed for that duel with Skywalker. The Force Adept was powerful enough for a follower of the Light, but Sing's training had been minimal. A possibility swam in his mind: kill the protector, the mother, and take the powerful boy for himself.

Maul had considered the possibilities of an Apprentice of his own before. It was only a matter of time before all that training and time paid off... against his Master.

After all, he couldn't answer to the older man forever. He was the true Sith Apprentice. Years of their religion had been poured into him, and when the time came, the Zabrak would come to rival his Master. It would be an honorable duel with both the blade and the Force, perhaps amidst the ashes of the Jedi. The Dark Side of the Force was strong with them.

"No," the Master interrupted his thoughts before he could consider more outcomes. "If you pursue either of them, you will perish at his blade, and thus all those years would be for nought. We have to reconsider our strategy. After all, we have yet another obstacle."

The Zabrak tilted his head to the side. His lips curled, and his eyes sharpened. Now, his Master seemed troubled, with his head tilted downwards.

"A Sith heretic - a false practitioner and imposter - in the shadows. His poltroonery can spell the very end of the Rule of Two and possibly the Sith as a whole if he remains a threat. He means to usurp me, and for that, he must be destroyed."

What accompanied the Zabrak was the instant onslaught of rage. For one, he sympathized with the fool who dared to stand against his Master, and him, by mutuality. On the other hand, he had begun suspecting that his Master answered to another shortly before the Invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation. Darth Maul had, during his time on Naboo, begun to hypothesize that Hego Damask might be a Sith Lord responsible for training Sidious. This did endorse concern about what position that would put him in since, if it were true, Sidious would be guilty of breaking the Rule of Two. Nonetheless, he respected his Master and knew it would be enough for the Empire to come if he proved himself. After all, one day, he would be marching on the Temple, leading this Army from the shadows against the Jedi. Even if this was the Master of Sidious, he would be dealt with like all others.

"At your will, my Master, I will seek out this heretic and bring him before you."

Amusement spiked in the Force. "Patience, Lord Maul, we have plenty of time. While you can trade blows with the best of the Jedi, including some of those on their Council, those who have mastered the arts of the Force are different. This interloper is also not to be underestimated."

The silence that passed was lengthy. The Apprentice remained behind the Master while the Master closed his eyes and delved into the Dark Side, allowing it to cloak around him. Maul resisted the purr at the power filling from the man.

"The Jedi do not yet entirely believe the Sith have returned. While it raises concern, they are dismissing Skywalker's claims, believing that they would have detected our resurgence. We have the element of surprise."

The Zabrak smirked slightly at that. The Jedi were fools. Their entire Order thrived on incomprehension and ineptitude. His Master was an important political figure, with half of the Senate in his pocket, thanks to decades of hard work. And yet, the Jedi couldn't see that the public was slowly steering away from them, their so-called wisdom becoming pointless.

A small part of him decided that he respected Skywalker. To see through the Force mask of the Dark Side when many Jedi failed was no small feat. It would thus be even more pleasurable when he cut him down. A warrior's duel that Maul indeed looked forward to many years from now.

"We will have to relocate the meetings elsewhere. The Sith Holocrons, as will your training, have already been relocated. We have the advantage of confidentiality. I will impart to you the deepest, darkest, and vilest secrets that will give you the power to rival our enemies and become the Master of the Dark Side."

The Zabrak's eyes gleamed with eager anticipation as his Master beckoned him forward. With this in mind, he couldn't express that he was displeased about the motions in events. It allowed Maul to learn more, something that the Zabrak always cherished. To grow more powerful than he was now. To bring the heretic and the warrior of the Light Side to their knees.

Anakin breathed through his nostrils, allowing the air to work through his system as he inhaled and exhaled. Slowly, Anakin began to cherish the Force and its constant companionship. Meditation soothed his concerns, worries, and anger about slavery.

Boring as it was at times, he did understand the necessity of it when Luke broke it all down to him.

The Force coursed through his veins reassuringly, bringing more serenity and peace. His mother and he were allowed to actually talk about things. The woman was a wise carrot to Anakin's life, letting him know now with the freedom they have, they don't have to worry about being beaten for no good reason.

Imagine Anakin's surprise when Luke taught him how to meditate while moving! During his training sessions!

Their staffs interlocked with one another, moving automatically. The more Luke continued to swing, the stronger the blows became, and Anakin absorbed each strike with the Force at his will.

Hours passed, and it continued like this. Anakin struggled a few times against the Will of the Force, but with the recommendations about where he could improve his hold over the Force, the younger took each of those lessons to heart, and he was able to keep up.

The moment he relinquished the Force in his hands, the trainee Jedi allowed the sighs to pass through his body as exhaustion crept in. Incredible exercise was the norm on Tatooine, but the Force took a toll. Unlike Tatooine, Anakin had actually enjoyed it. He'd loved moving around and doing something. It prevented boredom.

"You have grown so much," Luke praised, pulling him into a hug with a smile.

Across from each other on the training mat they had been standing on, Anakin and Luke were resting against one another.

Emotions bubbled in his chest. Anakin lay against him while Luke buried his hand in his hair, and sleep followed him.

Anakin watched as an older version of him was moving down to the shadows, clad in dark black robes, cloaked. An equally black-robed figure sunk into the shadows, glaring at him with two golden eyes. They were standing amongst ruins, the bodies of the dead, flames snaking around them.

The two stood silently, sizing each other up. The being across from him grabbed a hilt from his belt and activated it, a red blade protruding from it. Anakin gripped his hilt and activated his own lightsaber, the cerulean color also springing out.

The two paced one another, falling into battle stances. Anakin recognized from Luke's lessons that the form he was standing in was Djem So. The opponent's form seemed to be Juyo, with golden eyes flashing with fierce animosity and rage.

The flashes of crimson filled his vision, and Anakin felt the world closing around him...

...A shrill sound escaped Anakin's mouth as he popped up, frowning in consideration. Luke was still at his side. His hand clutched his shoulder for support and squeezed even tighter in reassurance.

"Having trouble sleeping?" Luke asked, concern etched across his face.

"How long?" he asked, groaning with a slight smile.

"A few hours," Luke said, gently rubbing his back in support and comfort. "What's troubling you?"

Anakin relaxed and smirked. "I saw... a vision, I think."

"I see. Would you mind describing it?" Luke probed patiently.

"I saw myself walking up to someone in dark robes. He was evil, I think. He wielded a red lightsaber. I couldn't hear anything else."

He nodded. "Possibly a Sith Lord or Dark Jedi. Nevertheless, this is a reminder of why you must be prepared to deal with followers of the Dark Side."

"I still don't get that. How can you kill and not fall to the Dark Side? Is that what the Dark Side?" Honestly, Anakin didn't like the thought of killing. The more Anakin thought about it, he realized when his training was complete, it would be him with so much power, and yet he would have to slay others to get it. It was like being a slaver with ignited chips.

He wasn't, and wouldn't ever be a slaver!

He-

Sensing his emotions, Luke sent calming energies through the Force, and Anakin breathed in both relief and exhaustion. Right, he needed to control his fear. Acknowledge that it existed but not allow it to corrupt him and lead him to irrational thoughts. That was how such things go away.

"The Force doesn't prohibit violence when necessary," Luke answered after Anakin had enough clarity to listen to him again. "Killing during a battle has never been linked to falling to the Dark Side. Just like with any other case of Jedi killing people in battle, which has occurred countless times. If you had instead begun executing captured prisoners who were unarmed and already defeated, then that is when you would begin falling. Even if you defeat enemies in anger, the difference between that and falling to the Dark Side would be you defeating them with your anger and executing someone because you wanted to."

"Oh..."

"It is difficult to understand, but you can come to me, and I'll provide you with example. However, all I can say now is, if possible, try to subdue them, but if they're not to be reasoned with, handling the threat directly leads to less pain. The battle doesn't end until a Dark Sider is restrained or counseled. Even afterwards, be cautious." Luke advised.

Anakin nodded.

"Come on, we've got to make sure we don't fly off-course, and I might need your help," Luke quipped, pushing against him with a teasing smile.

"Let me pilot."

"Nope. I wouldn't want to face your mother."

The two went to the cockpit and enjoyed the streaking blue chaos of hyperspace as he sat in the copilot's chair.

However, while Anakin's nerves receded, there was still the slight... current.

More hours passed.

"There's a nearby frequency system," Luke told them, stirring Anakin who was lying back against his seat.

The Force blared in his vision now...

"Something's about to happen," Anakin commented under his breath.

If Luke sensed it too, he didn't say a word, for the comm began to beep.

What was that? Luke wondered.

He'd known that he was not flawless. He had been capable of mistakes and being caught off-guard just as any other person. But...

"Hmph, I feel the Force is leading us here. Let's check it out." Luke said. He couldn't just turn around. He knew not to ignore when the Force told him where to go.

Shmi gave him an odd look and mumbled, "I'm never going to understand that crazy Force of yours."

Luke chuckled, and he clicked the small red button.

"Unidentified shuttle, you're being pulled in. Fred not, you shall remain unharmed." A cool voice said over the comms.

"Are we going to fight them?" His mother questioned, running into the cockpit, just as Luke muted the comms.

"They're alternatives to fighting," Luke replied simply.

Shmi looked nervous, but she was obviously prepared to use some of the training skills that Luke had taught her to protect her companions.

For whatever reason, Luke believed that would be necessary.

'Opportunity,' the time traveler heard. The meaning behind it was quiet, and the time traveler did not press for answers.

Luke's pupils dilated. This next action was going to be a line to many changes. Nothing would ever be the same after this. This wasn't just a warning but... an event set in stone.

"Are you alright?" Shmi asked, concerned.

"I sense something, a presence I haven't felt since-" Luke began to respond, stopping as he tried to gain control. He shook his head and looked at her. "We'll land in the docking bay." He guided the ship to the landing platform.

Two of the crew were waiting outside the hatch as it slid open: blue-skinned humanoids with glowing red eyes and blue-black hair, dressed in identical black uniforms with green shoulder patches. Each of them had a small but nasty-looking handgun at their waist.

No, no, surely he was mistaken. Surely, this couldn't be. But there came that presence. That familiar signature he hadn't felt in... years. From afar. Though, these two were not the one. How did this happen?!

"Hello," Shmi greeted them as she took a step into the tunnel. Kitster's eyes widened behind her, no doubt terrified, but reluctantly coming out of the ship at Shmi's ushering. Anakin observed their keen features, trying to decipher any emotion in their eyes.

His efforts were in vain.

The aliens didn't answer but merely moved to either side and gestured down the tunnel. "This way?" she asked, looking at the admittedly pale-faced Luke, who nodded.

They headed down the tunnel, the ribbed material of the floor bouncing like a swinging bridge with each step.

Anakin followed closely beside his mother, observing the aliens out of the corner of his eye as he passed between them. He knew not to question it, for weird-looking species existed all over the galaxy, but he couldn't help it.

Two more aliens were waiting just inside the ship, dressed and armed the same way as the first pair, except that their shoulder patches were yellow and blue instead of green.

They turned in military precision as the four humans arrived and led the way down a smoothly curved corridor made of a pearl-like material with a soft, muted sheen.

The room was small and simple, its furnishings consisting of a table and half a dozen chairs. A conference room, Luke identified it. Another of the blue-skinned aliens was seated on the far side of the table, his glowing eyes steady on his visitors. He wore the same black as their escorts but with a larger burgundy patch on his shoulder and a pair of elaborately tooled silver bars on his collar.

Luke stared...

And a name slipped out of his mouth...

"...Thrawn?"

Oh Sithspit, did he just say that out loud?